Citizenship and Immigration Services not set to reopen
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reports that it will begin opening for routine appointments on June 4, though the New York District office will not open on that date. Until offices open, USCIS will consider only emergency requests.
When USCIS offices open, the agency will schedule fewer appointments than normal to deal with coronavirus concerns. If USCIS scheduled you for an appointment when the offices were closed you should receive a new appointment.
If you need an emergency service before USCIS reopens, call (800) 3755283. For more information on USCIS office reopenings, go to: uscis.gov/ about-us/uscis-office- closings
USCIS will also begin scheduling naturalization ceremonies, starting with the ceremonies postponed because of the coronavirus. The ceremonies will be shorter as naturalization applicants will now view the videos online, and attendance will be limited to naturalization applicants and those assisting disabled applicants. Relatives and friends will not be able to attend.
Q I am a U.S. citizen but my girlfriend and her daughter live in the Dominican Republic. She and her 7-year-old travel and stay with me for Christmas holidays and summers. My girlfriend has a multiple entry, 10-year visitor’s visa. With President Trump’s travel ban, can she come to the United States to visit me this summer?
P.
A. President Trump’s 60-day immigration ban does not bar entry to the United States by nonimmigrants — including those with visitor’s visas, international students, and temporary workers. The ban applies only to individuals in certain green card categories who are outside the United States.
If you marry your girlfriend, she and her daughter can apply for an immigrant visa in the Dominican Republic. Trump’s travel ban does not apply to the spouse of a U.S. citizen. Or, if she is in the United States after you marry, she can apply for her immigrant visa here. You will need to file separate petitions for her and her daughter.
Send questions and comments to Allan Wernick, New York Daily News, 7th Fl., 4 New York Plaza, New York, N.Y., 10004 or email to questions@allanwernick.com.